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Tuesday, May 19

A visit to the Gingerbread House and more........

Yes, it was more than a couple of weeks ago that I was home for a visit with my mom in Iowa and I am still posting pictures of the three days I spent there. The day after I presented the quilt program to the Women's Club, my mom and I went shopping. We headed to Webster City and she took me along a "back-roads route" that she had found that has less traffic. Nice thing was the it was also very scenic! We went to Hy-Vee for a good lunch at the deli and then some groceries and a stop at the Dollar Store and around the corner to the Gingerbread House!!!

You'll find the shop at 309 Bank St. in Webster City, Iowa and it's open Mon-Fri from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sat. 9:30 to 2:00 p.m. There are even Gingerbread men waving at you and saying "yes, you can buy all the fabric you like!" :-)

This is such a cute shop, that is chock full of fabrics and bears and all sorts of good gifty items.I was short on time, so did a quick "look see" and found the cutest little farm boy and tractor fabric and got a fat quarter of each - one for me and one for my mom who was waiting in the car because she was a bit tired.

I've been to the Gingerbread Shop a few times and have bears to prove it, plus some fabric. One fabric I purchased was the "challenge" fabric for our Prior Lake Quilter's group. Each member received a fat quarter of fabric that was chosen by the leader of the group each year (I was the leader at the time) and then the challenge was to make a project that incorporated that fabric. I chose the geranium print fabric that you see in the picture frame below. Edit: Leaders didn't have to cover the cost of the fabric that guild members received. Our dues covered the cost of the fabric and the leader of the group each year got to go out and select a fabric that she felt would be a good challenge in a quilt project. I love to share my fabric but that would be costly to cover fat quarters for the entire group! Sorry if I mislead anyone!

If I remember correctly, I bought almost the whole bolt in order to get enough for the group. I loved this fabric the minute I saw it as it reminded me of my Grandma and the white umbrella like plant holder that sat in the front yard of her farmhouse. Sometime, I will remove the glass and take a close-up of the piece as it's fairly detailed. I fused a section of the fabric to interfacing and then individually cut all the little flowers and leaves to put in the geranium pot. I found the frame at a garage sale for a couple bucks and it was the perfect frame for the little quilt.

Because I am so behind in sharing pictures, I will be jumping all over the place for the next couple of weeks. Here's one, I wanted to show you because I think it would make a great quilt shop. It's "FOR SALE" and it's located in the little town of Vernon Center, MN just off Hwy. 169.

I was telling my son, Devlin, about it because he said he would love to turn an old church into a house. I told him I had the perfect place for him. Unfortunately this would be a long commute to the Twin Cities and his job. Speaking of Devlin, here he is along with his girlfriend, Stacia.

I took this one this past Saturday afternoon when it was a lovely, sunny day but actually a little chilly which explains why they are wearing coats. I was going to give you a sneak peek of the project that we are working on together, but too much of what we are doing shows up in my photos, so I will wait to share those til June.

One last thing for tonight............We're having a "sock swap" on my Wooly Buddies Yahoo group and it all started when someone mentioned colored socks and I posted that I was one who only ever wore white socks. Within minutes, my buddies said that I had to get some colored socks and before you knew it, talk of a "sock swap" began and so socks are crossing the country in our first "sock swap". My moderator for the group, Pat, took pity on me and sent me these cute and comfy socks................

and then, Anett, who is coordinating the swap, sent me these "Quilty Girl" socks and that oh, so awesome bag that she made for me. Yep, just for me!! Don't you love the bumper sticker?

I found some fun socks for my partner at Michael's, of all places. I was looking for totebags and literally "stumbled" upon the cute socks that I ended up buying. I can't show you a picture til I know my partner, Kathy, has received them. Hope she likes them. My package from her is crossing mine in the mail. We were partners in the Egg Swap and by pure chance ended up being partners in this one. Who knew that nearing 60 could be so much fun?

One more last thing............remember the bug bites that bugged me? Well, I went for my yearly physical today and my doctor confirmed they were sand fleas or "Noseeums". Connie, my PostLady mentioned to me last Friday that they might be the bug I encountered. I just know I don't want to encounter them again. I don't like a bug that I "no - see -um" and that bites me and I don't know it til the itching starts!! So, time to turn out the lights and hope those bedbugs don't bite!

I always enjoy your posts that are "all over the place".....lots of fun information and great photos, too. LOVE the saying on the bumper sticker. The frame for your geranium challenge piece is perfect....with all that "lattice" around the edges!!!

What a fun posting Sandi, I really enjoyed reading it. I love the sock swap idea....you ladies are so silly LOL. That church would make a wonderful home after LOTS of work, it's always sad to see a church in such sorry shape.

I just found your site today and was skimming through your blog when I saw the photo of the church.I went back and read the blog and confirmed what I was seeing. I grew up south of Vernon Center and drive by the church when I go home to visit my parents. I thought how strange...then I looked at your site some more and relaized you are from MN. Not so strange anymore. Everyone should wear fun socks once in a while!

Hi Sandi,I couldn't resist but had to say. Yes, I'd like to turn an old church into a cheerful house. It's been ever my dream! So hope Devlin may find a fortune to make true his intention.Do you have any info how old it is? I loved this old church, thanks for the photo:)

Welcome.........

I hope the stories and photos that I share will inspire and encourage your creativity and provide a pleasant little memory, too! Some days I'll write about quilting, some days about friends, places I've visited, projects, patterns, and more. I've spent more than 40 years stitching and creating and am enjoying this blogging journey that allows me to share my story with all of you!

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The Gentle Art.........

has provided threads for many of the projects that I share on my blog. Check them out at www.thegentleart.com !!! I love their hand-dyed/over-dyed floss that is available in so many gorgeous colors and equally beautiful names. They add just the right touch to the pieces that I embroider or embellishments added to wool and applique projects!

Woolfelt Central........

Just click on the picture above and you'll find the source for every color of woolfelt for all your wooly projects.

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For a Visit to Henderson on the Minnesota click on the link below....

Sharing my Christmas thoughts here...

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A beautiful quote...........

Rae Ann over at Cutie*Pinwheel blog shared this quote on her blog last Thanksgiving. I love it and asked her if I might include it here on my blog. Permission granted, so here it is.........
"Gratitude left unexpressed is like living in a dark world. Light up your life by expressing the gratitude you feel in your heart... especially for others." Quote by Rae Ann

And this one is from me.......

"I love making happy happen!"

It was inspired by a news report that said Monday, January 17 was the saddest day of the year. I decided to make it happy by sending e-mails to my quilty friends. It was a way to get rid of the sadness and make me some "happy"!!

The more you give..........

I didn't write this poem. It was posted on the bulletin board at the company I worked at many years ago. I never knew who wrote the poem because it just said "author unknown". I just recently learned that the poem is by Helen Steiner Rice. I love her poems and greeting card verses. I should have known it was written by her. I've added the correct title and her name. There is a great deal of truth in the poem. I just like what it says........Give Lavishly! Live Abundantly!

The more you give, the more you get.The more you laugh, the less you fret.The more you do unselfishly,the more you live abundantly.The more of everything you share,the more you'll always have to spare.The more you love, the more you'll findthat life is good and friends are kind.For only what we give away,enriches us from day to day.